Spokeo Scores a Solid 100 With Webutation.org!

Webutation.org, an open project that examines and rates websites for reputation with the aim of making the web a safer place, published its latest findings this week, awarding Spokeo a full 100 out of 100 possible points – the highest score achievable in its ranking system.

Webutation collects user feedback and customer experiences about websites, and tests websites against spyware, spam and scams with smart scanning technology in real time. It utilizes a powerful arsenal of tools to arrive at its “reputation” scores, including industry champions such as :

Google Safe Browsing  -  which alerts users if a web page they visit is asking for personal or financial information under false pretences, and protects them from phishing or spoofing; McAfee Site Advisor  -  which scans sites against adware, spyware and viruses; WOT (Web of Trust)  -  a site that displays which websites can be trusted for safe surfing, shopping and searching on the web, and collects reviews about websites; Plus many other website feedback resources. Webutation also categorized Spokeo as “G Rated/Child Safety: Safe.” The 100/100 score places Spokeo in the premium company of other trusted sites such as Google, AOL, and Yahoo. For the full report, click here.

Spokeo is thrilled to announce the release of its cool new product “Spokeo Mobile.” The new mobile product released just today is virtually identical to the standard version, and is super fast.  Now you no longer have to be tethered to a computer to perform a search. Conduct an instant search about anyone anytime, anywhere, using only a smart phone. Simply enter Spokeo.com in the smart-phone’s browser and be transported directly to Spokeo’s webpage. Try “Spokeo Mobile” for yourself today, and find out  just how cool it really is.

Spokeo’s vanguard approach may prompt some interesting debates on occasion, but if there’s one thing that seems to transcend all differences and bring a smile even to the staunchest doubting-Thomas’s face, it is our inimitable, ever-so-likeable, Spokeo hedgehog logo. People constantly tell us how much they love it.  So when the company recently handed out t-shirts to all of its employees, it came as no surprise to us that almost everyone who saw it clamored for one.  The response was nothing short of overwhelming. We were inundated with pleas for extras — which soon got us thinking, it might be really cool to share this prized commodity in all of its boundless cuteness with some of our loyal customers too. After all, you’ve earned it!

So, if you have been a Spokeo premium user in good standing for six months or more running, and would like one of our coveted Ts too, simply e-mail us today using the same address you used to sign up for with Spokeo, and we’ll soon scurry and scamper to send your fab Spokeo-T as quickly as our little hedgehog feet can carry us.  Don’t dilly-dally though! This offer’s good only while supplies last, and these hot Ts are sure to disappear quicker than you can scarf down a double-fudge sundae on a hot summer day and holler “Hedgehog!” 

For all you Spokeo subscribers (present and future) alas, the time has come. We held off for as long as we could, but unfortunately, come July 14th, Spokeo prices are finally poised to go up.  OK – we hear your collective groan.  But hey – there’s good news too!  As long as your subscription remains active, all you current Spokeo subscribers get to keep your lower-price packages indefinitely!  That’s right, you are “grandfathered” in.  And, better yet, any new subscribers who sign up before the rate increase get the same fabulous deal as well. (That should light a fire under a few of you dilly-dalliers who have been meaning to join but just haven’t gotten around to it.)  So get the lead out! Take advantage of this great window of opportunity. Sign up now, and tell all your friends so they can lock into the lower rates too. And for all you other late bloomers out there who may sign up after the rate-increase, not to worry.  Our prices remain so low, you’ll still be getting one heck of a bargain. So chin up!

Thanks to D. for his submission on ways that he uses Spokeo! You will be receiving your special gift shortly. And now, without further ado, here is his winning entry.

How I Spokeo

1. To look up people who are potential employers / employees
2. To find old school / college / work friends
3. To check on my "web image"

Do you use Spokeo in the same way? In a different way? We still have more gifts to give away so you still have time to submit your stories! Post them in the comments section, or shoot me an email at nasrin@spokeo.com.

*Please note that the winning entry presents the views of a Spokeo user, and that Spokeo does not endorse any of these uses.

PS: Follow us on Twitter!

We want to know: How have you been using Spokeo? Whether you’re a casual browser or a Premium subscriber, you can enter to win these magnetic desk dots to store pictures, cards, notes and more!  We’ll also send you a special, Spokeo promotional item.

Check the desk dots in action here!

 Post your story in the comments section, or shoot me an email at nasrin@spokeo.com!

Just a quick update! Street addresses are no longer available under our public search. As you know, we always consider your feedback when updating our site so we can make your user experience more enjoyable.  Please continue providing us with your comments and suggestions as we work to grow together!

We are now number 9 on Google for the query "people search"!

With our unique aggregation of all the various social networking sites your contacts frequent, Spokeo is among the most powerful people search engines available on the Internet.

If you aren’t a Premium member yet, check out some of our plan rates to further streamline and speed up your searches to include greater details and features.

We have A LOT of traffic right now.  Just in the past hour, Spokeo became the 60th most popular search term on Google. 

We are inundated with emails and phone calls, which come in every 10 seconds or so.  Before this traffic surge, we picked up every call and replied back to everyone within 3 – 4 hours.  Now, we ask everyone to be patient as we sort through the feedback.  We are busy trying to scale our staff and infrastructure to bring back our old quality of service, and we are working hard to push out new improvements to satisfy everyone’s demands.

We understand that people are amazed and shocked by how much this new technology can find about others.  We are busy working on a new feature that would reveal where every piece of information comes from, as well as how you can take steps to remove these public information.  New features take time to implement, especially when we only got 3 engineers.  That said, you can bet that Spokeo will become better and better.

We are going to upgrade our servers and back-end infrastructure at midnight of 10/14/2009.  If everything goes all right, we should be back up within 1 hour around 1am PST.  Thank you for your patience and support!